Bentley Bentayga running costs and mpg

19 November 2020 by Adam Binnie

Parkers overall rating: 4.2 out of 5 4.2

Miles per pound (mpp)

Petrol engines	4.1 - 4.5 mpp
Plug-in hybrid petrol engines	17.2 mpp

Low figures relate to the least economical version; high to the most economical. Based on WLTP combined fuel economy for versions of this car made since September 2017 only, and typical current fuel or electricity costs.

Based on "Weighted" mpg; figures depend on the proportion of miles driven in pure electric mode and may vary widely

Fuel economy

Petrol engines	19.2 - 21.2 mpg
Plug-in hybrid petrol engines	80.7 mpg

With premium cars come premium costs
No longer a lower emission diesel option
Plug-in hybrid will be cheapest to run once available

It goes without saying here that the twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is not going to be cheap to run. It’s a case of relativity here, though. If you purchase a car priced well into six figures new, in theory you should also be able to afford to keep the thing on the road.

The 2020 model's figures still make grim reading if you're eco-minded. But then, we guess, green-minded people aren't going to be looking at a new Bentley. Fuel consumption runs to 25mpg if driven gently, and Bentley claims a range of 397 miles from a brimmed tank. CO2 emissions come in at 302g/km on WLTP testing, while the Combined fuel consumption is 21.2mpg. It's helped considerably by cylinder de-activation technology.

Of the pre-facelift models, Bentley claimed fuel economy of 19.2mpg for the W12 model. We managed slightly more still over our time with the car according to the on-board trip computer without a particular eye on saving petrol. This car also puts out 335g/km of CO2. When the W12 Speed model reappears in the UK, expect a slight improvement on these numbers.

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The previously available diesel engine was a strong performer here, with a promised 35.3mpg and 210g/km of CO2, although this is no longer on sale in the UK.

It won’t come as much of a surprise that insurance and tax groups are both as high as they get, and servicing isn’t going to be cheap either, though it will be a very comfortable experience.

Reliability

Proving reliable in service
Technology used elsewhere, however
Great build quality and attentive dealers

With the newly fettled, SUV-readied V8 engine and upcoming plug-in hybrid option you’d be forgiven for thinking the Bentley Bentayga’s reliability could be questionable, but the reality is it’s built using many parts from elsewhere in the Volkswagen-Audi Group (it’s based on the Audi Q7’s platform) so actually it should fare well. There haven’t been any significant recalls for the Q7 at all.

Furthermore, the build quality of the Bentayga feels exemplary. There were no indications of loose trim or rattles during our test drive.